In this series of interweaving stories, Munro recreates the evolving bond between two women in the course of almost forty years. One is Flo, practi...
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May 13, 2011
Eric
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In a review of the Selected Stories that functioned as herald, Updike spoke of “a well-mediated complexity and multiplicity of plot, an intense clarity of phrase and image, an exceptional psychological searchingness and honesty,” “a grittiness…and a bold reach”—promises of pleasure I retained, and recalled over time, until circumstances (fatigue with the fiction I was reading, ambitious browsing in a store that carried a quantity of Munro) placed The Beggar Maid in hand. And it’s wonderful. Thes
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Feb 25, 2011
Bonnie
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In these ten inter-connected stories of Rose and Flo, Alice Munro explores the universal story of growing up; the question of identity, of resilience, and of escape – with a difference, of course, because this is Alice Munro, the Canadian author of too many awards to mention. In June, 2009 she won the Man Booker International Prize.
After reading daughter Sheila Munro’s memoir http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31663... I decided to reread Who Do You Think You Are? (titled: The Begga More...
After reading daughter Sheila Munro’s memoir http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31663... I decided to reread Who Do You Think You Are? (titled: The Begga More...
Feb 26, 2011
Joselito
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Sometimes I watch singing contests (like the American Idol) on tv and see good singers lose because they would commit the unfortunate mistake of choosing the wrong songs to sing. I cannot say here that Alice Munro chose the wrong plot, or that the story does not suit her. I do not know what would have suited her. I can see, however, that she's a very good writer although the story here (short STORIES, really, but made into one cohesive novel because of the commonality of characters in each of
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Mar 27, 2011
_The Beggar Maid: Stories of Flo and Rose_ by Alice Munro
(This review has private notes.)
I've heard so much about Alice Munro. It's about time I read some of her work.
Wiki says:
===============================================
"Alice Ann Munro (born 1931) is a Canadian short-story writer, winner of the 2009 Man Booker International Prize for her lifetime body of work, three-time winner of Canada's Governor General's Award for fiction, and a perennial c More...
(This review has private notes.)
I've heard so much about Alice Munro. It's about time I read some of her work.
Wiki says:
===============================================
"Alice Ann Munro (born 1931) is a Canadian short-story writer, winner of the 2009 Man Booker International Prize for her lifetime body of work, three-time winner of Canada's Governor General's Award for fiction, and a perennial c More...
Nov 07, 2010
Hannah
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Some of the most beautiful writing I have read recently. I kept having that feeling you get when you read a really gorgeous sentence or paragraph or scene and you just think, "WOW," and want to put it in your pocket and remember it forever. One of the critics' comments on the back of my copy used the phrase "psychological precision" and I don't think I could really put it any better. One of my favorite things about it was how it captured a person's feelings toward the peop
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Aug 03, 2009
Stephanie
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Alice Munro is one of the world's greatest living writers and certainly the greatest literary genius Canada has ever produced. This collection continues in the same vein as Lives of Girls and Women, but is much darker in its examination of human nature. The environment that the protagonist, Rose grows up in is much harsher than that of Dell Jordan from Lives. The scenes are paited so vividly that one believes one is watching a film of actual events. One of the most powerful short story colle
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Jan 01, 2012
Abigail
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"The most mortifying thing of all was simply hope, which burrows so deceitfully at first, masks itself cunningly, but not for long. In a week's time it can be out trilling and twittering and singing hymns at heaven's gate" (227).
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"The thing she was ashamed of, in acting, was that she might have been paying attention to the wrong things, reporting antics, when there was always something further, a tone, a depth, a light, that she couldn't get and wouldn't More...
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"The thing she was ashamed of, in acting, was that she might have been paying attention to the wrong things, reporting antics, when there was always something further, a tone, a depth, a light, that she couldn't get and wouldn't More...
Jan 04, 2011
Laura
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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May 14, 2011
Jin
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Classic Alice Munro. Which is to say really excellent and admirable and featuring the poor smart girl and a lot of honest brutal moments about love and relationships.
Not much to say because with her you either really like her or you just respect her and move on. I usually am just happy to read her in the New Yorker but I bought this book because it was 70% off at the Borders closing sale (I am still basking in the glow of that big sale!)
Not much to say because with her you either really like her or you just respect her and move on. I usually am just happy to read her in the New Yorker but I bought this book because it was 70% off at the Borders closing sale (I am still basking in the glow of that big sale!)
Sep 07, 2010
Kate
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Not quite as good as other stuff of her's that I've read but still well worth the time. "Who do you think you are?" is a question that haunts Rose through her entire life and it's one that haunts all of us as well. Rose spends most of the book trying on different personas (or at least it seemed that way to me) with different people in her life to try and become someone not from small town Ontario. It stays with her despite it all.
Something I'm sure we can all relate to.
Something I'm sure we can all relate to.
Feb 15, 2009
Katherine
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The small lives of rural Canadians must fascinate Munro, and this, the American version of one of her earlier collections of short stories, does it best. In perhaps the most re-published short story in the collection, Royal Beatings, Rose earns hers, and in the process reveals the fickle nature of children and parents, and the deep power of forgiveness. Munro is the best short story writer alive today, and thank God she's still going.
Mar 15, 2009
Jim
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The thought occurred several times while reading this collection of short stories that has been woven into a novel that I was wasting my time - that I really should put the book down and add it to those to be returned to the library. The side of life that one tries to avoid was its main substance. Munro seems to enjoy wallowing in vulgarity. Why? What does it do for her? She's wasting her talent on such things.
May 07, 2011
Snickerdoodle
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Maybe it was the story - maybe it was the writer - I just didn't care much for it. I finished it so it's not garbage by any means but I just didn't get it. There were moments but people had described her writing as wonderful ... I was disappointed. It just seemed to be a meandering - with no point, no reason for reading this. Nothing revealing here, nothing worth giving much thought to, no story to follow.
Oct 10, 2011
Kombeh
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My first introduction to Alice Munro, and still one of my favorite books. Flo and Rose: what can be said about these two women? I love everything about them: their ignorance, loves, jealousies, "beatings," betrayals. They are just perfect characters. Love how Munro conveys everything about her characters and their world in very few, objective words and yet she is still so judgmental about them.
Sep 27, 2011
ilike
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Some excellent observations in this book and a muted, often disturbing, but very true sexuality pervaded the stories.
I particularly enjoyed the unconventional format: Each chapter could stand alone as an excellent short story, or be considered as part of the arc in the life of the main character Rose.
This was one of those authors I've heard of often and read never-- I recommend this book highly.
I particularly enjoyed the unconventional format: Each chapter could stand alone as an excellent short story, or be considered as part of the arc in the life of the main character Rose.
This was one of those authors I've heard of often and read never-- I recommend this book highly.
Jan 05, 2010
Taylor
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A well-woven collection of short stories, loosely chronological, with the same protagonist. Early, the stories have a brutal quality, with devastating moments thrown in almost casually. Unfortunately, as the protagonist grows, there are fewer and fewer of these moments. Regardless, it is worth reading for the picture of frustrated poverty it paints in te beginning, even if the picture fades later.
Dec 25, 2011
Richard
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Rating: 2* of five
I hate Flo, and dislike Rose, and can think of no possible reason for anyone to read more than the Pearl Rule requires or the first three stories, whichever comes first in your edition.
Lovely, lovely sentences telling deadly little quotidian stories about dreary, slatternly people. Not recommended to the point of active discouragement.
I hate Flo, and dislike Rose, and can think of no possible reason for anyone to read more than the Pearl Rule requires or the first three stories, whichever comes first in your edition.
Lovely, lovely sentences telling deadly little quotidian stories about dreary, slatternly people. Not recommended to the point of active discouragement.
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Nov 20, 2009
Ruzzel
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Alice Munro is one of the world's greatest living writers and certainly the greatest literary genius Canada has ever produced. This collection continues in the same vein as Lives of Girls and Women, but is much darker in its examination of human nature.
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Nov 10, 2009
Melanie
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Alice Munro's prose is in a class of its own, and the emotional depth of her characters, her willingness to deal with class in an honest and interesting way, and the full consideration of the breadth of the over-arching story created by these shorter pieces are all reasons that I admire Munro's work.
Mar 10, 2010
Michelle
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Alice Munro is a wonderful short story writer! She expertly draws the reader in within the first few paragraphs, creates full-blooded characters that one cares about, and generally leaves one feeling satisfied, as after a large and tasty meal.
Jul 01, 2009
Adele
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I’ve been intending to read Alice Munro for a long time. All I can say is what took me so long? This is my first Munro, so of course I’m not sure if this is a consistent aspect of her large body of work, in this one she deftly mines truth and beauty from what is ordinary and sometimes ugly. I’ve not read contemporary fiction of higher quality.
Nov 20, 2011
Aran
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I liked several of the stories towards the end-- Simon's Luck and the one about Flo. I wasn't bowled over with the first stories, though I was surprised with how ugly they were, totally the opposite of what I'd expected.
Aug 06, 2011
Pete
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I like how Munro is able to write as Rose in different stages of life. Her style changes depending on how old Rose is at the time. Very well written, and there is a lot of events that can be viewed multiple ways.
Jun 10, 2011
Georgiana
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I felt the stories were a lot more about Rose than about Flo. Ashamed by the poverty in which she grew up and even by her "country accent", Rose decides early on who she does not want to be, and spends most of her life trying to find who she truly is. Her acting career appears to be part of the same "game" of adopting different personae while searching for her own self. I thought the title of the last story, "Who do you think you are?", actually summarized what the
Dec 15, 2010
Trish
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I liked some of the stories. I was disappointed, especially since it was my book club choice. It was a little dated. I would like to try one of her newer books.
Sep 08, 2009
Karin
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Read this one in my Canadia Lit. class my last semester at USU before graduation. It was alright. I enjoyed it, but wasn't amazed. I wrote a paper on it though and got a big, fat A!
Sep 16, 2009
Trisa
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I didn't really care for this book I kept waiting for it to go somewhere and it didn't... Don't understand why I feel I have to finish it??
Jan 14, 2011
Danielle
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Another book from the same Canadian Women Writer's class. It's a very interesting read and ranks quite high on my list of favorite books.
Aug 07, 2010
Mike
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Alice Munro can make the most everyday situation seem like it's the most significant event in the universe. Incredible stuff.
Jun 04, 2009
Abby
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Again wishing for the half star rating, because this was more like a 4.5 for me. Love love love Alice Munro, and it was satisfying to discover I like her entire canon from the late 1970s to now.
